Fallen Soldiers To Be Recognized In Gaithersburg On Memorial Day

From the City of Gaithersburg: Loyalty and patriotism will be on full display as the City of Gaithersburg joins the nation in honoring all who have given their lives in military service at its Memorial Day Observance on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Christman Park.

The observance will include reference to the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of World War II. The public is invited to join the Mayor and City Council, Junior Mayor, City staff and honored guests in a tribute to those of all generations who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Joining the May 30 observance will be guest speaker Commander Roger K. Lunde, United States Navy (Retired). Commander Lunde graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1964 and was commissioned in the Naval Security Group. In 1968, he completed the Russian course at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. He was awarded the degree of Master of Science in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1972.

During his 20-year career, Commander Lunde worked to identify and locate enemy ships. He was assigned to duties in Scotland and Japan as well as California, Maryland, Hawaii, Maine, and Washington, D.C. He was Commanding Officer of Naval Security Group Activity, Winter Harbor, Maine, and completed his career as Chief of the Office of Support Plans at the National Security Agency. At sea, he was assigned to submarines deployed for special operations and was Fleet Cryptologic Officer on the staff of the Commander of the U. S. Seventh Fleet aboard the flagship homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.

The patriotic ceremony will include words and music to commemorate the occasion, followed by a solemn wreath-laying ceremony. The Cadet Color Guard of Gaithersburg High School will present the colors, Young Artist Award 2nd place vocal winner Maren Lewis will perform the national anthem, and “Taps” will be played by Gaithersburg High School student Mark Pera. At the event, guests will be invited to fill out a card and provide a 4x6 photograph for a Book of Tribute, honoring friends and family members who serve.

Christman Park, named for Lt. William J. Christman III, a Gaithersburg resident who was killed in Vietnam, is located at 304 West Deer Park Road in Gaithersburg. Groups or individuals interested in attending or participating in the Memorial Day Observance may contact Dorthy Winder at 301-258-6350 or e-mail Dorthy.Winder@gaithersburgmd.gov. For more information, visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

To support homeless veterans in Montgomery County, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #2562 & #5633 has partnered with the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH), which provides emergency shelter to an average of 75 veterans annually. MCCH’s Operation Homecoming provides homeless Veterans with a safe, stable and affordable place to live. Donations, including food, toiletries and cleaning supplies, are being collected to assist Veterans with their move. A complete list is available on the City’s website here. Donations can be dropped off during the Memorial Day Service. Monetary donations are also being accepted. Checks can be written to the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless. Drop-offs, tax deductible receipts and more information are available between 4 and 9 p.m. at MCCH, 600 East Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, 301-917-6644.

The Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village Rotary Clubs are once again hosting Flags for Our Heroes over Memorial Day Weekend. To honor local heroes, individuals and groups can sponsor one of the hundreds of flags that will be on display on the front lawn at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm May 24 through 27. An opening ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 25. Proceeds benefit local initiatives supported by the Rotary Clubs, including the City’s Wells/Robertson House program for homeless men and women in recovery and the W. Edward Bohrer Jr. Memorial CHARACTER COUNTS! Scholarship Fund. For more information on Flags for Our Heroes please visit www.flagsforourheroes.org.

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